Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Giants of Justice Celebration!
Last Thursday, we gathered with our wonderful, interfaith community to celebrate the Los Angeles movement leaders, faith leaders and activists working to create a more just city for us all. We heard inspiring stories that underscored the value of protecting human dignity that guide our struggles, from houses of worship offering sanctuary to people who are made vulnerable by US immigration policy, to union organizing, to local efforts to care for our neighbors.
This year we recognized three Giants of Justice honorees who exemplified what it means to commit to living within your values, despite facing backlash from the powers that be.
Honorees
Ann Burdette
Ann is a lay leader at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach. We honored Ann for her decades-long commitment to justice, including participating in the sanctuary movement and rapid response network in Long Beach. Through this, she helped create the Long Beach Justice Fund which provides legal counsel and monetary support for Long Beach residents facing deportation.
Reverend Maria Elena Cruz de Montalvo
Rev. Cruz de Montalvo is the faith leader of Grace Lutheran Church in the city of Bell. She dedicates her life to serving the word of God by helping those in need. Under her leadership, Grace Lutheran Church has been providing sanctuary to migrants coming from across the world, including Mauritania, Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador.
SEIU Local 721
SEIU Local 721 represents more than 100,000 workers, making it the largest public sector union in Southern California. They have recently announced an intent to strike, to begin next week, which would be the first of its kind in LA County history. A strike would impact public health and mental health care professionals; parks & recreation staff; the LA County Library and so much more.
Musician Yusmani Gainza interspersed the event with guitar accompanied songs, and MC Reverend Dr. Najuma Smith got the crowd activated and engaged.
In addition, guests created a collaborative commemoration wall, remembering the life and legacy of Father Richard Estrada, who we lost earlier this year.
Handwritten notes shared messages of appreciation for Father Richard, who was a committed advocate for immigrant, homeless, LGBTQ, and other marginalized youth, as well as a leader in the Sanctuary Movement.
Our thanks again, to all who attended and supported our work with a ticket purchase or donation.
Here’s to another season of being guided to fight for justice by the faith principles that ground us in our ethics, determination and cross-community strategy building!
Photo Gallery
